Welcome to my 'other blog' the one that explores my crafty side. I have been a maker of 'things' since childhood. By nature I'm creative. I still love to write, and you can click on this link to visit my blog: Hanging On My Word, which is where I indulge in the thought and word side. Although a teacher by profession, I don't offer tutorials. This is my showcase of projects I like to share. So pull aside the curtains and let's begin (I'm a bit theatrical too!).

Sunday, 2 February 2014

Meet Wendy, my latest creation. She started life as Bramble Bunny, designed by Amanda Berry, in Issue 57 of 'Let’s Get Crafting - Knitting and Crochet’ magazine. As followers will recall, when it comes to yarn I’m a crochet gal; however, I was so taken with this little bunny that I decided to have a bash at knitting!

It was a great learning opportunity, but I’m sure the expert knitter in my family, my 93 year-old Mum, would be able to put me right on how to hold the needles and so on. Unfortunately she is in England and I am in Lanzarote, so I am teaching myself.

What I have discovered is that my comfy armchair, where I crochet in the evenings, restricts my movements when it comes to holding a pair of needles; I knew there was a reason why I favoured hook over needles. I will not be beaten and intend to learn more of this fascinating craft.

My husband has been following my progress and decided that this bunny needed a name and a personality if we were to get beyond page one of the learners’ manual. He is the namer of toys and pets in the family and he took one look at my effort and instantly decided that she was a ‘Wendy’.

I bought this magazine on a trip to UK back in December. It’s not yet available in digital format, which is a shame. My other craft magazines are and it’s a bonus as I can read them on the iPad. The magazine comes with a selection of yarns, knitting needles and a crochet hook and inside there are projects and patterns to use your yarn .

Once I had created Wendy and her first outfit of dress and shoes, I decided that she needed some more clothes. We are promised more patterns in Issue 58, out now in UK, but even I could manage a headband with crochet flower, and a scarf, to tide her over. I will have to ask one of my friends who is visiting to get me the magazine.

The picture on the right shows Wendy’s cute little ‘powder puff’ tail, made from a mixture of pink and white yarns in the pack.

I didn’t manage the ‘Fairisle’ pattern, shown in the magazine bunny, and opted for a crochet edge instead. There were no complaints from Wendy.

On the left she sports her Olivia Newton-John- style headband.

She was ready for some contrast in her accessories, so I delved into my stash to make this little pink scarf. With the colder weather (It gets pretty chilly in the evenings, even here), she’s really in need of some bloomers/knickers/pants and possibly a little jacket. Let’s hope Issue 58, when it finally arrives here, will supply me with the pattern.

Wendy will feature again I’m sure, so come back again and see what I’ve managed to add to her wardrobe.

And now the pattern is free to download on the Let’s Get Crafting website, though you may have to register.

About Me

I am a retired primary school headteacher who moved to Lanzarote for the year-round sunshine, the amazing landscape and the slower pace of life (Mañana really means mañana here). I have been married for 42 years, have a son and daughter and 10 year-old twin grandchildren. I relish the time to do what I like at last; get up when I want to, go to bed when I want to. Of course there are things I miss about England: the song of the robin and blackbird in my garden and watching the blue-tits nesting, the theatre, the art galleries, the cathedrals, but I get my fix on the visits back to Blighty and travels further afield. This is my home now, in every sense.